After the assassination

  After the assassination

  "Your Majesty is wise and brilliant, so Ye Li waits for General Zhang to thank Your Majesty."

  Inside the main gate, Ye Li still wore a white dress and walked out with elegant steps. Standing on the steps outside the gate, she looked down at the dignitaries with different expressions and Mo Jingqi's slightly gloomy face. She slowly walked up to Mo Jingqi and bowed slightly, "Dingguo Wangfei Ye Li welcomes Your Majesty."

  Mo Jingqi was taken aback, his eyes complexly sizing up the white-clad woman kneeling in defeat before him. However, he refused to reveal even a moment's hesitation on his face, and instead smiled with relief: "It's truly fortunate that the Crown Princess of Ding is safe and sound; this way, I can also give an account to the King of Ding. Your Highness, were you frightened?" Ye Li pursed her lips and smiled lightly: "Indeed, it was quite frightening, but the guards in the palace are all personally arranged by the Prince himself. As long as they still have a breath left in them, Ye Li believes that they will not let anyone harm her."

  "The princess said that as a subordinate, I would die to protect the princess's safety." The dark general standing beside him said in a low voice.

  "We swear to protect Her Highness with our lives!" The guards outside the gate shouted in unison.

  Mo Jingqi's face was slightly solemn, and he forced out a somewhat stiff smile: "The entire Ding Wangfu is loyal and righteous, the king and queen are truly blessed. Pass on my imperial decree: tonight, all the guards in the Ding Guo Wangfu will be rewarded with ten taels of gold."

  Ye Li smiled and said: "Thank you for your imperial kindness, would you like to come in?"

  Mo Jingqi was about to step inside, but saw the faint bloodstains seeping out from the gate. As the early wind blew gently, the bloody smell wafting out from the gate was even more intense than outside. Just imagining it, one could tell how fierce the battle must have been within the Ding Wang's residence that night. Mo Jingqi's expression stiffened, and he smiled, "Since the Ding Wang is not in the residence, we won't enter. The queen has had a shock today, so it's best for her to rest and recover. I'll let the empress send some imperial physicians over to treat the queen later. I'll head back to the palace first, as the morning court session will be starting soon."

  Ye Li nodded and respectfully said: "If so, Ye Li will see off Your Majesty."

  Mo Jingqi waved his hand and turned back to Longben. Before long, Longben drove out of the palace with a group of guards and nobles towards the imperial palace. Ye Li stood at the gate until Longben disappeared around the corner, Mo Zongguan came forward and said: "Wangfei..." Ye Li smiled faintly and said: "Let's go back to the mansion."

  Turning back to the mansion, Ye Li strolled through the blood-stained garden corridor, coldly watching as one corpse after another was carried away or still lay in the courtyard, before finally returning to the study.

  Xu Hongyan was still sitting in the study drinking tea, just like when Ye Li left, except that he had a half-read book of poetry in his hand. When he heard Ye Li come in, he put down the book and looked her up and down before asking, "Nothing's wrong?"

  Ye Li smiled and said apologetically: "I've caused Uncle trouble."

  Xu Hongyan shook his head and said, "Our family can't help you much now, is there any damage in the mansion?" Ye Li sighed and said, "It's inevitable that there will be casualties, but it's all right. I'll handle it properly, Uncle, don't worry."

  Xu Hongyan said in a low voice, "Only tonight did Uncle realize that Lier is more reliable than your second brother. You can handle these things yourself, and Uncle won't interfere anymore. If there's anything our family can help with, just send someone to the Imperial Censor's residence to mention it."

  Ye Li nodded and said in a low voice: "Li'er knows, let Uncle worry."

  "Your Highness." Before long, Feng Zhiyao and others returned after handling the outside matters. Ye Li nodded and asked everyone to sit down, asking in a soft voice: "How did things go?" Feng Zhiyao smiled brightly: "Don't worry, Your Highness, all the enemies have been caught. Although General Sun hasn't returned yet, are you still worried about the combat strength of the Black Cloud Cavalry?"

  Ye Li smiled and said: "I believe in General Sun and Hei Yun's abilities. Let's hear about each of your situations."

  Zhang Qilan said in a loud voice: "Report to the princess, all assassins outside the Dingwang Mansion have been captured. Those who resist will be killed!" The mighty general's words were filled with an aura of majesty and power, even in a simple report.

  "I report to the princess, all suspicious individuals in the dark alleys of the capital have been apprehended by the secret guards. Thirty-six rebels have been executed." Mo Hua reported in a low voice.

  Qin Feng stood with his hands hanging down, saying lightly: "All assassins who enter the Dingguo King's palace will be killed without pardon."

  Mo Hua looked up at Qin Feng without speaking, while Feng Zhiyao waved her folding fan and smiled: "It seems that tonight we will indeed catch those scoundrels off guard. These two days will be busy for us again, Qin Feng, don't try to steal the show from me." Qin Feng didn't even raise an eyebrow, saying lightly: "I naturally obey the princess's orders." Feng Zhiyao pouted and looked at Ye Li with pleading eyes, Ye Li smiled faintly: "If Feng San is interested, she can also follow Qin Feng to take a look, and it would be good for her to provide some advice. After all, they still lack experience in this area." Feng Zhiyao's eyes lit up as she bowed and smiled: "Thank you, princess."

  "Sun Yan requests an audience with Your Highness." The low voice of Sun Yan came from outside the door.

  Ye Li smiled and said: "General Sun, please come in, we've been waiting for you."

  Sun Yan pushed the door open and came in, took a glance at the people present, and bowed to Ye Li: "The princess's clever plan, I sent people to guard each of the key roads leading out of the capital. At the fifth watch, we indeed encountered many suspicious people who were trying to escape. We killed 26 on the spot and captured 7 alive. Please instruct us, Your Highness."

  Ye Li rubbed her brow and said, "We've caught so many people, it's definitely not possible to lock them all up in the palace. Qin Feng, Zhuo Jing, you two should quickly sort out those who are useless and send them to the Dali Temple." Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing nodded in unison and turned to leave. Feng Zhiyao glanced at everyone, smiling as she asked, "Your Highness, what do you plan to do with Mu Qingcang?" Except for Mo Hua, Zhang Qilan and Sun Yan were both taken aback, "Mu Qingcang?" Although they were in the military, they had still heard of Mu Qingcang's reputation as the number one master of Great Chu. But they never thought that Mu Qingcang would end up in the princess's hands.

  Xu Hongyan furrowed his brow and asked: "Is Mu Qingcang that illegitimate son of the Marquis of Muyang?"

  Mo Zongguan smiled and said, "That's right. Although not many people know about Mu Chengcai's family background, there are still a few families in the capital who do. He is the eldest son of Marquis Mu Yang, and now he is the elder brother of the heir to Marquis Mu Yang, Mu Yang."

  Zhang Qilan and Sun Yan were stunned again, they only knew that Mu Qingcang was the number one master of the Mu family, but they didn't know he had such a background. However, Mu Yang Hou was over 30 years old when he had his only son Mu Yang, so if someone said he had a son as big as Mu Qingcang, it would still be believable. But what kind of secret was hidden behind this that outsiders couldn't know? Xu Hongyan remained silent for a long time, finally just letting out a long sigh and getting up to say: "Let Lian'er decide these things herself, I'm a bit tired and will go back to my room to rest." Ye Li nodded and quickly had someone escort Xu Hongyan back to his room. Watching Xu Hongyan leave, Feng Zhiyao asked somewhat puzzled: "What does this mean?" Ye Li replied calmly: "Nothing, Uncle is just disappointed in some people and things." How could Second Uncle not guess what kind of person was behind Mu Qingcang with his quick thinking?

  Feng Zhiyao didn't mind, and smiled: "Actually, I'm not interested in how the princess disposes of Mu Qingcang. What's more interesting to me is who those people are that caught Mu Qingcang?"

  As soon as the words came out, all eyes in the study fell on Ye Li. Ye Li lowered her head and took a sip of clear tea, smiling shallowly at the sky outside which was already getting brighter: "They are naturally also people from the Ding Wang Fu. As for who they are... it's still not possible to tell you all for now, but I believe it won't be long before the king will personally tell you all." Zhang Qi Lan said excitedly: "The king also knows about these people?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow in surprise and smiled: "The king is the master of the Ding Guo Wang Fu, what kind of person or thing under the jurisdiction of the Wang Fu would the king not know about?" Zhang Qi Lan obviously also realized his own rudeness, and laughed loudly: "Your Majesty's pardon, this general's meaning is... since the king also knows about this team. Then in the future, can this general request Your Majesty to allocate such a team to the Mo Jia Jun? With their addition, no matter what they do, it will surely be much faster."

  Ye Li raised an eyebrow and gazed at Zhang Qilan's face, which was filled with excitement and ecstasy. Unexpectedly, Zhang Qilan seemed to be a straightforward and impulsive warrior, but he was extremely keen on the battlefield and the quality of his soldiers. Ye Li didn't dampen his mood, smiling faintly: "When the king returns, General Zhang can discuss it with him."

  With the addition of Feng Zhiyao, a skilled interrogator, the interrogation of these assassins progressed very quickly. Of course, this was also related to the large number of people caught and their diverse backgrounds. On the third morning after the chaos in the Ding Wang Fu, a thick stack of documents appeared on Ye Lian's desk. A casual glance at the contents was enough to shock anyone. The parties involved in this assassination attempt included the powers of Da Chu, Xi Ling, Bei Rong, and Nan Zhao. After reading it, Ye Lian couldn't help but want to sigh. For so many years, the Ding Guo Wang Fu had indeed become a target for everyone's hatred. However, after this incident, there probably wouldn't be many people who would dare to set their sights on the Ding Guo Wang Fu again. Ye Lian gazed out the window at the beautiful sunshine in the garden, where flowers were still blooming vibrantly. Although it had only been two days, there was no longer any sign of the blood and terror from a few days ago.

  "Announce to the princess, Mu Qing wants to see the princess."

  Ye Li put down the scroll and raised an eyebrow with a smile: "He can't hold on for just three days?"

  Qin Feng furrowed his brow and said, "After we captured Mu Qingcang, he has been somewhat listless. I have strictly followed the princess's orders and not used torture on him. It was his own decision to want to see the princess; before seeing her, he refused to say anything." Ye Li waved her hand and smiled, saying, "Using torture on someone like Mu Qingcang is useless and may even stir up hatred and desire in his heart. Go bring him over."

  Qin Feng disapprovingly said: "Princess, bringing him to the study is a bit..."

  "It doesn't matter, he won't make a big deal out of it anyway. Go ahead."

  Before long, Mu Qingcang was brought into the study. In just three short days, he had transformed from that night's murderous black-clad assassin to a disheveled and haggard prisoner. Looking at Ye Li's eyes devoid of any vitality or luster, Ye Li sighed inwardly, Mu Qingcang had indeed grown old.

  "Leave." Ye Li said to Qin Feng, who was following Mo Qingcang. Qin Feng's eyes flashed like a knife as he swept past Mo Qingcang and left in silence. The study fell silent for a long time before Mo Qingcang spoke up: "I didn't think the people of Dingguo Wangfu would actually willingly obey the orders of a girl in her teens." Ye Li replied calmly: "Regardless of whether I'm in my teens or forties, Mr. Mo should acknowledge my other identity - I am the Princess Consort of Dingguo. This alone is enough to make them follow my commands." Mo Qingcang shook his head and said: "Princess Consort of Dingguo... a Princess Consort who can command the Black Cloud Riders and the Mo Family Army is rare even in the history of Great Chu." Ye Li smiled slightly and said: "Mr. Mo is overpraising me."

  "What do you want to know?" Mu Qingcang asked directly.

  Ye Li didn't mince words either and countered with a question: "What is it that Mr. Mu wants to get?"

  Mo Qing's expression was indifferent, and he remained silent for a long time before asking, "I suppose the princess is aware of my identity?"

  Ye Li smiled and gazed at the man in front of her, who was only forty years old but already looked worn out. He neither acknowledged nor denied it. Mu Qingcang didn't mind and asked on his own: "Has anyone asked the princess about me these past few days?"

  Ye Li lowered her eyelids and smiled lightly: "Mr. Mu hopes what kind of person would dare to ask about your news? After doing something as daring as sneaking into the palace at night to assassinate the king and queen, Mr. thinks that in this Chu capital, there is no one who dares to have any connection with you. To say it boldly, even if it were the current emperor, at this time, he wouldn't dare admit to having any relationship with you."

  Moyin's expression turned gloomy as he looked at Yelü and asked, "I suppose the princess has already found out about my true identity?"

  Ye Li smiled but didn't speak, and Mu Jing's eyes became even more certain as he said: "You're indeed the Princess of Dingguo Kingdom, I admire you." Ye Li shook her head and said: "No, I don't know anything. I just hope that the Dingguo Kingdom's royal family and my own family can all be safe and sound. So, Mr. Mu, what do you want?"

  His eyes were empty and bewildered, muttering: "What do I want..."

  Ye Li lowered her gaze to look at the pair of hands placed on the table, and softly said: "Since Mr. Mu wants to see me, he must have something he wants to trade with me. So... there must be something that Mr. Mu wants."

  Moyin remained silent for a long time, then looked up at Yeli and said: "The princess must know my identity very well, I want to know... what am I in their hearts?"

  Ye Li looked at him with a hint of sympathy and said lightly, "Mr. Mu, why must you be so stubborn? If you want to extricate yourself from all this, it's not impossible. With your abilities, once you leave Chujing, the people and things here will no longer be able to affect you."

  A hint of desolation and sorrow flashed across Mo Cheng's eyes, and he shook his head, saying, "If you want to leave, I can do it myself. Can't I?"

  "Has the master decided?" Ye Li confirmed.

  Mo Cheng nodded firmly and Ye Li lightly inclined her head, saying: "In that case, Mr. Mo, please first let me see what kind of chips you have."

  "I will definitely make the princess satisfied."